AP Biology

A study on the effect of Energetic drinks on cells

Background (Justification):
Nowadays, the members of ours society have become increasingly exposed to busy routines
throughout the previous years. Feeding properly or sleeping the hours a human needs in
order to perform adequately during the day has become a secondary priority. Because at
some point in these routines we are exhausted from so many activities, we usually resort to
faster and more accessible methods to obtain energy. One of the most popular is consuming
energetic drinks, which ensure to give us an energetic explosion. Most of this solutions share
common ingredients to stimulate the body and provide more alertness such as caffeine,
taurine and guarana (Foster, 2019). However, these drinks have components that are
harmful to health such as Sodium benzoate, which is a popular preservative found in many
beverages. Manufacturers add it to more acidic products as a way to prevent spoilage but
research has shown that it may be linked to cancer (Sodium Benzoate, 2018). Although
originally energetic drinks were treated as complementary substances to supply energy,
mainly for sports, now energy drinks are being consumed as any soft drink, mainly by young
people, without taking into account the effects that undue consumption can cause.
Aim
The aim of this biology laboratory experiment is to explore the effects of different types of
beverage that are considered a source of energy due to the high percentage of sugar,
caffeine or other stimulant that compose them, and its effect on cells.
Research Question
Does energetic drinks stimulate a hypertonic reaction in cells?
Method
The types of energetic drinks were chosen through an investigation of which were the most consumed in Mexico,
which were Monster, Red Bull (El consumidor, 2015).
Independent T test
Unpaired T-test would be used to determine if there is a significant difference between the
cell in control solution (distilled water) and the cell in the energetic drink (monster and red
bull)

Variables
Independent variable:
● Different types of energy drinks (Red Bull, Monster)
Dependent variable:
● The “cell” final weight (in grams)
Controlled variables:
● Amount of energy drink (50 mL each) by trial to ensure that the same amounts of
solution are affecting each cube
● Amount of time the cell is in the solution 40 minutes this will be measured with a
chronometer
● Size of the cell´s substitute (Grenetine cube like the ones we use in a lab practice at
the beginning of the partial) to prevent size or mass from being a variable that affects
the possible outcome
AP Biology

● The “cell” in distilled water will serve as a reference factor to what would be
considered normal in a cell

Materials
Material Quantity Uncertainty

Red bull (50 ml) 2 (250 ml)

Monster (50 ml) 2 (250 ml)

Distilled water 500 ml

Beaker (100 ml) 15 ± 1 mL

Graduated cylinder (100 ml) ± 0.1 mL

Grenetine like cube 30 cubes of (2x2cm) each

Weighing machine 1 ±0.01g

Gloves 1 pair

Ruler 1 ±0.01cm

Pencil 1

Knife or cutter 1

Chronometer 1 ±0.01 s

Process
1. Gather all the materials
2. Cut each one of the grenetine cubes in a size that is 2x2 cm each one
3. Pour 50 ml of each each energetic drink and the distilled water on its corresponding
beakers
a. Use the Graduated cylinder to get accurate measures
4. Measure the initial mass of each cube using the weighing machine
a. Make sure to first weight the beaker and then subtract that weight to the total
mass of the solution
b. Record the initial mass in a piece of paper
5. Place the cubes into each beaker
6. Let it rest for 40 minutes
a. The estimated time in which an energy drink takes to be metabolized is 30-50
minutes
7. Take all the cubes out of the beakers
8. Record the final mass of each cube on a piece of paper
a. As in the beginnings subtract the weight of the beaker
9. Repeat the whole process once to ensure sufficient data

Safety measures
AP Biology

No specific safety measure is required, since the experiment does not represent any danger
to anyone. The only factor that should be taken into account is to use with extreme care any
device of sharp nature to cut the cubes of grenetine. If you find it difficult to do this kind of
activities, it is strongly recommended that someone more experienced do it for you.

Foster, J. (2019). Energy Drink Ingredients and What They Do. In Caffeine Informer.
Retrieved from https://www.caffeineinformer.com/energy-drink-ingredients
El Consumidor. (2015). Bebidas con cafeína, taurina y otros ingredientes. In El laboratorio de
Profeco. Retrieved from
https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/100355/RC460_Bebidas_con_Cafeina
_Taurina.pdf
Sodium Benzoate. (2018). In Overcaffeinated. Retrieved from
http://www.overcaffeinated.org/ingredient/sodium-benzoate/